Research tells us that getting enough sleep is vital for good health and general well-being. Children, in particular, require the right amount of sleep to grow to their full potential and your son still has a lot of growing to do. Although there is no magical number for the hours of sleep needed to function in a rational and productive way, the general recommendation for a seven-year-old child is between 10 and 11 hours a night.
It has also been shown that irregular or late bedtimes can often lead to disagreeable and hyperactive behaviour, social problems and academic difficulties at school. Tired children tend to be very distracted and unfocused in lessons and miss out on important learning opportunities.
If a child is awkward about going to bed at a reasonable time and has poor sleep habits, parents sometimes assume that the child simply doesn't need much sleep. However, the more likely reality is that the child is sleep deprived and therefore not functioning properly. Sleep allows the mind and body to recover from a busy day's activities. During deep sleep the muscles relax and breathing and blood circulation slow down.
It is not surprising that you have difficulty getting your son up in the morning. If he doesn't go to sleep until 10pm he hasn't had the sleep that his body desperately needs. Unfortunately, this situation provokes a negative start to the day which is unlikely to improve.
You need to take charge of the situation and avoid allowing your son to dictate his own bedtime. Children will often take advantage if they feel there is leeway to do so. Help him develop a good sleep habit, most importantly setting an appropriate bedtime and not deviating from it. Going to bed at the same time and rising at the same time will allow his body clock to build up a regular routine. You would be wise to put him to bed by 8pm. In time, he will come to realise that the expectation is that he goes to sleep and he won't feel that he's missing out on anything.